King Hawaiian Invests $100 Million To Expand Oakwood, Georgia, Bakery Production Center

Area Development News Desk

10/21/2013

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King’s Hawaiian, a state-of-the-art bakery and distribution company, will invest $100 million to expand its Oakwood, Georgia, production center, adding more than 400 jobs in phases by 2016 at its Hall County campus.

The firm plans to double the size of its current facility and construct a neighboring 120,000-square-foot facility over the next year, tripling its production capacity. The company said it will continue to work with the Georgia Department of Labor during its hiring process and with Georgia Quick Start, the state’s workforce training program.

"Our experience in Oakwood, Hall County and the state of Georgia has been extremely positive,” said CEO of King’s Hawaiian Mark Taira. “We have been able to hire terrific associates here and are impressed with local officials' ability to partner with business and to create win-win experiences for Georgia citizens and companies. In fact, we are so impressed that our plans are to have a majority of our employees working in Oakwood by about 2014 or 2015. The Aloha spirit is alive in Hall County."

“With this significant investment, King’s Hawaiian is putting bread on the table in Hall County in more ways than one,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “In its relatively short time in Georgia, King’s Hawaiian has proved a valuable member of our corporate community, and today’s expansion announcement shows the company’s faith in our business climate and the skilled local workforce. The growth and success of King’s Hawaiian will benefit northeast Georgia for many years to come.”

“It is a source of local pride to see King’s Hawaiian in every major grocer and to know that’s a fantastic quality product that everyone loves and it’s baked in Hall County,” said CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Kit Dunlap. “This growth means job opportunities, and many Hall County businesses that support King's Hawaiian will grow with this expansion.”

“It is not surprising that King’s Hawaiian would continue to expand its presence in Georgia,” said chief operating officer at Georgia Department of Economic Development Pat Wilson. “Existing companies thrive thanks to Georgia’s business-friendly atmosphere, outstanding workforce and superb logistics infrastructure.”

The Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Georgia Department of Economic Development on the company’s initial location and its latest expansion.